Burnet baseball winding up for solid season
JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
BURNET — After the first day of opening practice Jan. 24 was postponed because of icy weather, members of the Burnet High School baseball team celebrated the official start of the 2014 season with an intersquad scrimmage the next day.
First-year head coach Jose Sierra, who is in his fourth season at Burnet, said he believes having a rapport already established with his players will only help the team.
“I think it’s very important,” he said. “I think it’s very beneficial that I have a prior knowledge to what our strengths are and weaknesses are.
“And it’s a true blessing,” he added. “This group of seniors, they were freshmen my first year in Burnet. I’ve gotten to grow with them and see them grow and where we need to be better in leadership. I think it’s an advantage.”
The Bulldogs finished last season as the District 8-3A runners-up with Liberty Hill as the district champion.
In all, Sierra said he’ll have 64 players who will be divided into three teams: a varsity and two junior varsities.
“It’s a blessing to have a community that loves baseball,” he said. “It’s exciting to feel like we’ll be able to compete in all three levels.”
The Bulldogs have an experienced catcher in senior Joshua Thompson, who signed to play for Abilene Christian University in November. Sierra said Thompson, a captain, is a key player for the squad because of his leadership and talent. His role is to set up the defense
“He gets the younger guys to come up and play at a fast tempo,” the coach said. “He makes sure everyone is on the same page. He is the liaison between the coaches and the players. The successful leader gains our trust and gains the trust of their teammates. They set the tone for us.”
Other key players include junior infielder and pitcher Taylor Barksdale and pitcher Ben Rundzieher, the Bulldogs’ 2013 newcomer of the year, and last season’s team most valuable player Shae Edmonds, the ace pitcher of the staff. These three also are team captains.
“I’m 100 percent sure those guys know what it takes to win,” Sierra said. “We’re going to jump on Shae’s back and ride him. We’re looking for Shae to come back and have another big year.”
The Bulldogs recently attended a retreat where they outlined their goals for the season. Sierra said one of the main objectives this season is finishing strong.
Coaches continue to evaluate players for the varsity roster.
“We’ve told all our boys, even the returners, nothing is set in stone,” Sierra said. “We need them to step up and have them do it again.”
Junior Cameron Chafin is another pitcher expected to be a big contributor, the coach said.
Sierra is one of several new head coaches at the high schools that make up District 8-3A. Manny Perez takes over in Lampasas, while Herbert Rios leads Brownwood and Stephen Campbell is the third coach in as many years at Llano.
“The district will be wide open,” Sierra said. “They all bring in energy and excitement. We’re in the mix in a district that’s going to be battling.”
The Bulldogs open the season against Fredericksburg 7 p.m. Feb. 17 at Bulldog Diamonds, 1000 The Green Mile in Burnet.
jfierro@thepicayune.com